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Advocates Set Sights on Improving Access to Cancer Care, Reducing Burden of Disease for Maryland Patients in 2025

The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Maryland Government Relations Director Lance Kilpatrick: “In 2024, Maryland state lawmakers heard from advocates across the disease spectrum and from every corner of the state, who united together to send a resounding message: improve access to lifesaving medication. Though the legislature did not advance the proposal to prohibit the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs, advocates are hopeful that lawmakers won’t miss the same opportunity in 2025. “Presently in Maryland, ...

2023 Maryland Legislative Priorities

... Legislative Priorities Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expand access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Maryland residents impacted by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In 2023 the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will work with the Maryland Legislature on legislative and regulatory efforts that provide affordable, adequate access to health insurance ... will also support policies that encourage more copay only plans, place limits on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs, and ensure that all cost-sharing payments are counted.    Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Breast and Cervical Cancer: ACS CAN will advocate to maintain funding ...

2025 Maryland Legislative Agenda

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expand access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Marylanders impacted by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In 2025 the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will work with the Maryland General Assembly and the Moore-Miller Administration on legislative and regulatory efforts that provide ... plans. We will advocate for policies that ensure third party prescription drug copay assistance is counted toward patients’ out-of-pocket cost obligations. Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Breast and Cervical Cancer: ACS CAN will advocate to maintain funding of $13.23 million for ...

Prince George's County Council passes healthy vending legislation

... offered in county vending machines (CB-26). The bill received all nine votes from the full council. The bill ensures that at least 50 percent of items in machines will meet American Heart Association-recommended nutrition standards for sugar, salt, fat and other measures, and that every drink machine will offer bottled water.  ACS CAN and other supporting organizations of Sugar Free Kids MD coalition applaud the Prince George’s County Council for passing legislation to ensure that the healthy choice will be the ...

Cancer Survivors to Maryland Lawmakers: ‘Make All Copays Count,’ Protect against Threats to Patient Access to Lifesaving Medication

... for patients by curbing an unfair insurance practice that makes critical medication more expensive and access unpredictable. The passage of each bill in their respective chambers, which now await concurrence voting, came on the heels of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Cancer Action Day when cancer survivors, patient advocates and medical professionals traveled to Annapolis to discuss the importance of ...

General Assembly Reaches Consensus on Copay Accumulator Reform, Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature

... House Bill 1246 would require all prescription drug copayments made by patients, directly or on their behalf, to count toward their overall out-of-pocket maximum or deductible, making cancer treatment more affordable and saving more Marylanders from potential medical debt.  A 2022 American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) study found 31% of cancer patients and providers noted paying for prescriptions as a challenge and 20% indicated that financial considerations ... one hardship after another. First, the hardships are physical. Then, very quickly, they are emotional. And all the while they are financial, the cost burden weighing heavily on patient and family alike. Fortunately, there are avenues for patients to lighten their financial load through copay ...

House & Senate Committee Hearings to Highlight Critical Need for Affordable Access to Lifesaving Medication

... the Maryland Senate Finance Committee will consider Senate Bill 595, which seeks to create more predictability for patients facing high out-of-pocket expenses for lifesaving medication. The following day, February 29, the House Health and Government Operations Committee will hold a ... so that a patient using copay assistance to fill a prescription for a lifesaving medication may incur hefty unexpected medical bills—a result of insurers or pharmacy benefit managers not applying copay assistance payments to a patient’s deductible. Senate Bill 595/House Bill 879 will ... around medication expenses. Lance Kilpatrick, Maryland Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), will testify at the hearing to make the case to enact these patient protections for Marylanders, following the lead of nineteen other states. ...

Cancer advocates meet with US Rep Andy Harris

... Meet With U.S. Rep. Andy Harris: “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline” About a dozen volunteer advocates hold onto life-preservers in support of Affordable Care Act protections SALSIBURY, Md. – March 7, 2017 – About a dozen cancer patients, survivors and volunteers rallied outside the ... medical debt,” said Julienne Edwards, a colon cancer survivor and volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “Congress needs to know exactly what they're taking away from people like me. If there is a treatment that can save our lives, we ... Critical protections include: • enabling young adults to stay on their parents' health plan until age 26; • providing patients no- or low-cost life-saving screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies; • preventing patients from having their coverage canceled when they get sick; ...

Cancer Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Support Improving Cancer Patients’ Access to Housing & Lifesaving Medication

ANNAPOLIS, MD – FEBRUARY 12, 2024 – Earlier tonight, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers rallied at the Maryland State House as a part of their annual Cancer Action Day, urging lawmakers to support two proposals—the first, is a call to lawmakers to support an investment in the ... housing during their care; whereas, the second (Senate Bill 595/House Bill 879) aims to create more predictability for patients facing high out-of-pocket expenses for lifesaving medication. The current capacity of the Baltimore Hope Lodge, which was erected in 1987 to give patients a free ...

2017 Maryland General Assembly Session Report

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Maryland Government Relations Update April 26, 2017 April 10 was the last day of the 2017 Session of the Maryland General Assembly.  ACS CAN had a mixed year in Annapolis this session.   Although our three priority bills did not pass we are poised to move these bills forward in the ... funding of the MD Quitline,  •    Fewer youth will become lifetime smokers, •    $13 million will remain in the budget for low or no cost mammograms, cervical exams and treatment for breast or cervical cancer for women whom are medically underserved, and •    Cancer patients ...

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